How Much Does AI Automation Actually Cost?

One of the most common questions I get is: "How much does AI automation cost?" The honest answer is: it depends. But I'll give you a transparent breakdown of what affects pricing and how to think about the investment.

The Cost Spectrum

AI automation for small businesses typically falls into three categories:

DIY Tools ($0-500/month)

Tools like Zapier, Make, or native integrations let you build simple automations yourself. Good for:

**Pros:** Low cost, immediate access

**Cons:** Limited capabilities, time-intensive to set up and maintain, breaks easily

Custom Solutions ($2,000-10,000 one-time + $500-2,000/month)

Working with a specialist (like brianlo.ai) to build custom automation tailored to your business. Good for:

**Pros:** Tailored to your needs, professional support, scalable

**Cons:** Higher upfront investment

Enterprise Platforms ($10,000+/month)

Full-scale automation platforms like UiPath or Automation Anywhere. Good for:

**Pros:** Extremely powerful

**Cons:** Overkill for most small businesses, requires technical staff

What Affects the Price?

Several factors influence automation costs:

1. **Complexity**: How many steps? How many systems need to connect?

2. **Volume**: How many leads, customers, or transactions per month?

3. **Customization**: Standard templates vs. unique workflows

4. **AI Requirements**: Simple rules vs. intelligent decision-making

5. **Ongoing Maintenance**: Who keeps it running?

How to Calculate Your ROI

Before focusing on cost, think about value. Ask yourself:

1. **Time saved**: How many hours per week could automation save?

2. **Revenue captured**: How many leads are you losing to slow response times?

3. **Cost avoided**: What would it cost to hire someone for these tasks?

Example Calculation

Let's say automation could:

If automation costs $3,000 one-time + $1,000/month:

Our Pricing

At brianlo.ai, we keep it simple:

This includes discovery, custom design, implementation, training, and 30 days of support. Use our ROI calculator to see your potential savings.